Rights Holder: Lincolnshire County Council
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: LIN-D12675
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A cast lead-alloy crucifix. The object comprises a cast plate, originally cruciform in plan, (now damaged at the top), with the body of Christ appearing in near identically-moulded relief on both sides. The face has elongated, oval eyes, a large nose and a slit mouth. A triangular arrangement above the head, on the cross, has a perimeter formed of rectangular cells. Three dots, in relief, on the torso may represent nipples and navel, with the ribcage also emphasised. Alternatively, they may be a reference to the Holy trinity. Both arms are outstretched, and both terminate with enlarged splayed fingers and a crescentic depression for the palm. An inward curving moulded crescent decorates the spaces above and below both arms. The lower body is covered by a long tunic with vertical folds depicted by ribs. The lower legs and feet are depicted by two right angled lines. A further moulded line is seen running immediately below the feet, perhaps suggestive of a ledge. The lower terminal is rounded.
A curve at the top suggests the loss of a suspension loop. Suggested date: Early Medieval, 950-1150. Similar examples are recorded on the PAS database as NLM-AD60CD and PUBLIC-F65A99. A very close parallel in copper-alloy is recorded as NCL-C947D7.
Height: 30mm, Width: 28mm, Weight: 4.41gms
The object was originally discovered folded up into a square piece.
Notes:
Other examples in literature show very close stylistic details on precious metal crucifixes. Graham-Campbell 1980, p.188 shows one in silver from Gotland and a gold example from a grave in Birka. Also shown is a gilt brooch from Hedeby with similar features including the three pellets on the torso described above.
Graham-Campbell, J. 1980 The Viking World
Notes:
Record created using photograph supplied by the finder.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 950
Date to: Circa AD 1150
Quantity: 1
Length: 30 mm
Width: 28 mm
Diameter: 4.41 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 1st March 2009 - Tuesday 31st March 2009
This information is restricted for your access level.
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.